Debbie Shuttleworth AISTD Dip has been a teacher at the school since 1993. More recently, Miss Lisa Topliss AISTD, Miss Amy Kendrick FDI ARAD and Miss Lesley Gramegna AISTD have joined the staff as Tap, Modern Theatre, Hip Hop and Ballet teachers respectively.
The school caters for both the serious student and those who dance recreationally for enjoyments sake. There are currently over 800 pupils, aged 2 to adult in attendance. The school is totally self funded and in its 43 years has received no public funds, (so no cost to the Stamford tax payer) a fact, the school, considered by many as a service to the town, is very proud of.
Welland School of Dancing began in the summer term of 1964 under Mrs Susan Mitchell Smith, and had two classes held at the YMCA, St Peter's Hill Stamford; a class for 3-4 year olds and ballet class for those of 5 years and over. The pianist was Miss Marjorie Perkins who was already playing for Mrs Mitchell Smith's classes at Stamford High school where she had been teaching since the end of 1963, having been introduced to the pupils there by their former teacher Mrs Elizabeth Dawes. Susan Mitchell Smith also held Keep Fit classes and dance classes at Easton on the Hill.
At the school's greatest point of expansion during this time there were over one thousand pupils, two full time teachers, and three part time, a part time secretary and a cleaner. Susan's husband Colin did most of the financial side of running the school, and also acted as stage manager, lighting operator, made props and did any artwork that was needed. Over the years classes were held at Stamford, Bourne, Easton on the Hill, Peterborough, Bretton, Billingboroough, Uppingham and Oakham and at Stamford High School (Junior and Senior School) Stamford Boy's school, Westwood House School, Morcott Hall School and Malcolm Sergeant Primary School.
Maggie is a former pupil of Welland School of Dancing. Under the tutelage of Miss Desbruslais, Maggie gained a place at the Royal Ballet School as a senior associate, and then at Central School of Ballet in 1996, trained by Christopher and Carole Gable.
Film and Television – Lead Role
Gemma left the Welland School of Dance in 2005 to pursue her career as a professional dancer. She was offered a full time scholarship at Cambridge performing Arts on the musical theatre course, where she studied for four years.
Tiffany Theatre College, Company Manager P&O and princess cruises
Hammond School, P&O and costa cruises
Bird College
Lavinia, originally from Greece, began her dancing from an early age in Corfu with her mother Tina Chandley (training: Northern Ballet School) as her teacher.
Pirouette Scchool – Leicester, Teacher WSD, TuDance and Inspire.
Ballet Theatre UK school
Trinity Laban, Founder of Abalinodance theatre
I started at Welland when i was 3 years old doing ballet classes every Tuesday, then at 7 I joined tap and modern classes.
Royal Ballet school, Arts Educational Tring Park
Billy Elliott, Hebden School of Dancing
Royal Ballet School
WSD Pupil 1984-2000
Since joining at the age of four, Welland has instilled in me an absolute passion for dance that has fundamentally shaped the course of my life.
What The Welland did for me?
I will forever be grateful for what my time at The Welland taught me, I have always loved dance and always will, as well as this, throughout my 9 years there, I learnt how to be disciplined; in a way that I now pass on to my pupils.
Robert trained at London Studio Centre.
Former WSD Pupil
Phil joined the Welland School of Dancing at the age of 3 and attended classes until he was 18. In that time, he took part in the school's main shows, performances at local fetes and took many exams.
I was at Welland from September 1973 to Easter 1975 (I think).
It was my first teaching job after leaving Bush Davies where I had trained for 3 years.
50 years at WSD as pupil, friend, helper and mother.Little did I realise when I started taking ballet lessons at Stamford High School with Mrs Mitchell-Smith in 1964 that in 2014 (50 years later!) I would still be going to classes at the Welland.
Northern Ballet school
Tiffany theatre college
London Studio Centre
Masters Performing Arts College